Norwin girls get championship revenge

The Norwin girls basketball team has been perfect to begin the 2025-26 campaign, highlighted by a victory at Upper St. Clair last Monday. The Knights bested the host Panthers 65-51 in a rematch of the WPIAL Class 6A Championship game. Four players scored in double figures for Norwin, led by Ava Christopher’s 14 points. Nia O’Barto and Aubrey Graney each tallied a dozen points for Norwin, while Giuliana Giannikas added 10 points. Meanwhile, Kenzie Pope led USC with 13 points. With the win, Norwin moved to 7-0 overall, including 2-0 in Class 6A Section 2.

Kiski Area’s Haugh steps down

After just one season guiding Kiski Area football, head coach Colyn Haugh has resigned from his position. Haugh stepped away from guiding the Cavaliers to accept a position with the Toronto Argonauts of the Canadian Football League. In his lone campaign with KA, Haugh compiled a mark of 4-7, including 3-3 in the Class 5A Big East Conference. As a result, the Cavs qualified for the WPIAL playoffs, but lost to Shaler Area in the opening round. Haugh, a 2003 graduate of Franklin Regional who played collegiately at Robert Morris University, had most recently served as an assistant at Edinboro University.

Westmoreland players litter PIHL All-Stars

More than two-dozen hockey players from Westmoreland County will suit up for the PIHL All-Star games next month. In Class AAA, a quartet of Franklin Regional Panthers were selected: Joey Casella, Ryan Crouse, JJ Tensuan, and Brendan Yohe. In Class AA, Hempfield Area and Penn-Trafford each had five selections apiece. The Spartans representatives are Evan Dunlap, Guerin Gardner, Jonathan Holtzman, Evan Saltzgiver, and JJ Williams. The quintet for the Warriors, meanwhile, features Brock Bienemann, Tyler Funk, Sean Goodman, Jake Lenart, and Ben Zierski. Furthermore in AA, Greater Latrobe and Norwin each had four representatives. For the Wildcats, Jaxson Kettering, Josh Matthews, Preston Miller, and Reese Myers were chosen, while Cal Constantino, Zack Katona, Parker Toth, and Zayn Zeravica were recognized for the Knights. In Class A, four players from Greensburg Salem were selected: Luke Dieter, Jeremiah Faulk, Jake Fink, and Ace Klingensmith. Lastly, Burrell’s Madilynne George, Adam Scheftic, Dante Taliani, and Jared Wall were chosen to represent the Buccaneers in Division 2. The games will take place on Jan. 25 at the RMU Island Sports Center.

Derry Area’s Pitzer, Jeannette’s Powell garner All-State football honors

A pair of Westmoreland County gridiron standouts, Dylan Pitzer and Jayce Powell, were recognized as All-State performers last week. Pitzer, a senior for Derry Area, was tabbed as a defensive lineman in Class 3A. He previously was honored as an All-Conference player on both the offensive and defensive lines. Pitzer helped the Trojans compile a mark of 6-5 overall, including an appearance in the WPIAL playoffs. Powell, a junior from Jeannette, was selected as a wide receiver in Class 1A. He racked up 45 receptions for 950 yards, scoring 15 total touchdowns for the Jayhawks, who achieved a record of 8-4, including a victory in the WPIAL postseason.

AK Valley HOF class revealed

A half dozen Westmoreland County standouts, as well as a legendary team, were announced for the 2026 Alle-Kiski Valley Hall of Fame last week. The 55th-annual induction ceremony will be held on May 16 at the Pittsburgh Shriners Center in Harmar. The Westmoreland representatives in the class include: Billy Callahan, a Valley football star who played at the University of Pittsburgh and was drafted by the Pittsburgh Steelers; William “Billy” Clarke, a mat star at New Kensington from 1964-66 who became the first wrestler from the school to reach the PIAA tournament; Jeff DeSantes, a football standout at Burrell who was later an All-American on the gridiron at Geneva College; Crystal Heder Kosecki, who was named All-Section four times while playing soccer at Kiski Area and was an accomplished player on the pitch at Indiana University of Pennsylvania; Scott McKillop, a 2004 Kiski Area grad who set the Cavaliers football record for tackles and also was a wrestling champion, and who was an All-American on the gridiron at Pitt and played for the San Francisco 49ers; and Cecil Smith, a Valley grad who lost just once time in two regular seasons in the 100 meter race. Additionally, the team inductees will feature 1965 Arnold baseball, which captured the WPIAL championship with a 10-1 win against Beaver Falls.

This week on WSN

On the WSN airwaves this week, the Southmoreland Holiday Classic Wrestling Tournament finals will take place on Tuesday beginning at 3:30 p.m. On the weekend, Seton Hill University basketball will be in the spotlight, as the Griffins host Kutztown on Friday beginning at 3 p.m., while the Griffs will welcome West Chester on Saturday, starting at 1 p.m.